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Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
TN Chief Qazi Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub passes away, funeral today
Dr. Salahuddin Muhammed Ayub, the Chief Qazi to the Government of Tamil Nadu, passed away in Chennai due to age-related ailments. He was 84. His funeral will take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday at the historic Wallajah Mosque, also known as the Triplicane Big Mosque. A renowned scholar and respected figure in the Islamic community, Dr. Salahuddin held a Doctorate in Arabic Language and Literature. Prior to his appointment as Chief Qazi, he served as a professor of Arabic at New College, Chennai, where he earned admiration for his scholarship and dedication to teaching. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed deep sorrow over his passing. In a condolence message, Stalin said: 'Dr. Salahuddin Ayub was a respected scholar whose contributions to the welfare of the community were immense. He always showed personal affection towards me since my tenure as the MLA from Thousand Lights. Even during his illness, he remained committed and made it a point to attend Iftar events in which I participated. His demise is an irreparable loss to the Muslim community and to Tamil Nadu as a whole.' Prince of Arcot, Nawab Muhammed Abdul Ali, also expressed condolences, recalling his family's longstanding association with the late Chief Kazi. He described him as 'a great scholar and a humble man.' Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai extended his sympathies to the bereaved family and the Muslim community through a message on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). AIADMK general secretary and opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami also posted his condolences on X, stating: 'I am deeply saddened by the passing of the Chief Qazi of the Tamil Nadu Government and an esteemed scholar who rendered invaluable service to both the Tamil and Islamic communities. His demise is a significant loss not just to the Islamic community but to all of Tamil Nadu. I pray for his soul to rest under the mercy and shade of the Almighty, and extend heartfelt sympathies to his family and to all our Muslim brothers and sisters.' TVK leader and Tamil superstar Vijay paid tribute on X, writing, 'Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Tamil Nadu Government's Chief Qazi, Allama Mufti Dr. Muhammad Salahuddin Ayyubi Qadiri Azhari. He discharged his duties with integrity and righteousness. Despite being entitled to government privileges such as an official residence, a siren-equipped vehicle, and an office, he chose to decline all benefits and served with humility and sincerity.' In a press release, Nusrat Ali Khan, secretary of the Shia Sunni Unity Movement India, described the late Chief Qazi as 'an epitome of unity and a perfect example for the Muslim community.' Khan added that his services to the nation would be remembered and appreciated forever. Dr. Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub leaves behind a legacy of scholarship, humility, and service that will continue to inspire generations.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chief Kazi to T.N. govt. Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub passes away at 84
The Chief Kazi to the Tamil Nadu government, Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub, passed away here late on Saturday due to age-related illness. He was 84. According to sources, he had a vast knowledge of Islamic teachings. He also holds a Doctorate in Arabic Language and Literature. Prior to his appointment as Chief Kazi, he was a professor of Arabic at New College in Chennai. In a condolence message, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said he was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub. Recollecting his association with the Chief Kazi, Mr. Stalin said he was a respected scholar and will always be remembered for his contributions to the community's welfare. 'He always showed affection towards me ever since I was an MLA from the Thousand Lights constituency. Even during his illness, he remained committed to attending 'Iftar' events that I took part in. His demise is an irreparable loss to the Muslim community,' he added. In his condolence message, the Prince of Arcot Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali recollected his family's association with the Chief Kazi, and said he was a great scholar and a humble man. In a post on X, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai extended condolences to his family members and Muslims. In a press release, Nusrat Ali Khan, secretary, Shia Sunni Unity Movement India, offered condolences to his family and the entire Muslim community. 'He was an epitome of unity and perfect example among Muslim community. His services to the nation will be appreciated forever,' Mr. Khan said. His last rituals will be conducted at Triplicane Big Mosque, known as Wallajah Mosque, at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Straits Times
23-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Rohingya refugees increasingly risk perilous journeys to safety, UN says
Rohingya refugees hold placards while attending a Ramadan Solidarity Iftar to have an Iftar meal with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Interim Government, at the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain/File Photo GENEVA - Dire humanitarian conditions in Myanmar and Bangladesh are driving more Rohingya to risk dangerous boat journeys to safety, such as one this month that ended in a sinking and estimates of 427 deaths, the U.N. refugee agency said on Friday. The minority community's plight might have been worsened by aid funding cuts, the agency added. The humanitarian sector has been roiled by funding reductions from major donors, led by the U.S. under President Donald Trump, and other Western countries as they prioritise defence spending prompted by growing fears of Russia and China. Two boats carrying some 514 Rohingya sank on May 9 and 10, carrying refugees who were thought to have left from refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, and Rakhine State in Myanmar. Only 87 survivors were found, UNHCR said. The possible deaths of 427 people would make it the deadliest tragedy at sea involving Rohingya refugees so far this year, according to the agency. That people chose to board boats during the annual monsoon season, which brings dangers such as strong winds and rough seas, reflected their desperation, the agency added. "The dire humanitarian situation, exacerbated by funding cuts, is having a devastating impact on the lives of Rohingya, with more and more resorting to dangerous journeys to seek safety, protection and a dignified life for themselves and their families,' said Hai Kyung Jun, Director of UNHCR's Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. "The latest tragedy is a chilling reminder that access to meaningful protection, especially in countries of first asylum, as well as responsibility sharing and collective efforts along sea routes, are essential to saving lives," Kyung Jun added. The agency urged more financial support to stabilize the lives of Rohingya refugees in host countries including Bangladesh, and those displaced inside Myanmar. Its request for $383.1 million for support in 2025 is currently only 30 per cent funded, it said. UNHCR received over $2 billion in donations from the United States in 2024, or 40% of its total donations. A UNHCR spokesperson said that in March it had frozen more than $300 million of planned activities as part of cost-saving. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
23-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Extreme desperation may have led to 400 Rohingya refugees dying at sea, UN agency says
Rohingya refugees hold placards while attending a Ramadan Solidarity Iftar to have an Iftar meal with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Interim Government, at the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain/File Photo GENEVA (Reuters) -A dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar and Bangladesh may have led to deaths of an estimated 427 Rohingya refugees at sea, the United Nation's refugee agency said on Friday. "The dire humanitarian situation, exacerbated by funding cuts, is having a devastating impact on the lives of Rohingya, with more and more resorting to dangerous journeys to seek safety, protection and a dignified life for themselves and their families,' said Hai Kyung Jun, Director of UNHCR's Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. (Reporting by Olivia Le PoidevinEditing by Ludwig Burger)
India Today
19-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Followers, free trips, and easy visas: Influencers under scanner for Pakistan links
We've seen influencers go as far as leaping off cliffs, risking their own lives in the pursuit of online attention. But could that pursuit extend to compromising national security — all for a few sponsored trips, more followers, and a spike in likes?India Today analysed the social media patterns of three influencers currently under the radar for alleged espionage linked to Pakistan. Jyoti Malhotra, Priyanka Senapati, and Devinder Singh Dhillon are among the prominent digital creators whose names have surfaced in the ongoing investigation. advertisementA review of their YouTube channels shows sharp spikes in followers and views following trips to Pakistan. Travel influencer Jyoti, with over 3.86 lakh subscribers, has visited eight countries and travelled widely across India. Analytics from the cyber growth platform SocialBlade show only three notable spikes in her subscriber count — in April 2023, April 2024, and December 2024 — each coinciding with her documented visits to Pakistan in the preceding months. A similar pattern is observed in the subscriber growth of Priyanka Senapati, who travelled to Pakistan in March, 2025. Her association with Jyoti—who had previously made multiple visits—may have played a role in facilitating her visa there is no direct evidence, Jyoti's visit to Pahalgam just months before the attack has also raised eyebrows. While she is not believed to have shared any military information with Pakistani operatives, Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih—both active on Instagram—were arrested on May 3 for allegedly leaking sensitive information and photographs of Army cantonment areas and air bases in Amritsar. Influencers, under the garb of content creation, often gain access to sensitive locations with little oversight. They are able to access and film with relative ease, facing minimal scrutiny while sharing potentially revealing this wasn't the only motive behind Pakistani intelligence operatives(PIO) engaging influencers. YouTube videos and reports suggest that Jyoti developed a close association with a Pakistani High Commission official Danish during her visit to Pakistan. A vlog on her channel from an Iftar party captures her being welcomed by Danish upon arrival and later seen leaving the event alongside also known as Ehsan-ur-Rahim, was declared persona non grata on May 13 over charges of espionage. In diplomatic terms, a persona non grata is a foreign diplomat whom the host country formally requests to be recalled by their home appears to be engaging in a subtler form of influence operations– using influencers to amplify pro-Pakistani narratives in exchange for soft incentives like facilitated visas, sponsored trips, and algorithmic visibility. While data shows a consistent pattern of spike in follower counts post visits to Pakistan, there is no definitive evidence attributing that growth directly to coordinated state-backed creator Devinder Singh Dhillon visited the University of Punjab in Lahore in December 2024, crossing via the Wagah border. His content reflects a sustained interest in showcasing Pakistan — featuring its currency, prominent gurudwaras, Lahore Fort, local museums, and Istanbul Chowk. His most recent appearance in Pakistan, traced to just two weeks ago at Lahore Junction, preceded his eventual reportedly shared videos of Patiala cantonment with addition to them, Tareef, Jaffar Husain, Nauman Illahi, Armaan, Guzala, Yameen Mohammad, and Shahzad are among the other individuals who have come under scrutiny.
